382 
X 
CRYPTOGAMIA. FUNGI. Spheeria. (1) With a stem. 
Bull. 472. 2s : re 4 
This is the Smut, so frequently found upon the ears of dif. 
ferent sorts of growing corn, and also upon grasses. It consists 
of very minute egg-shaped stemless capsules, at first white, but 
the thin white coat soon bursting, it pours out a quantity of 
brown black powder, mixed with wool-like fibres. Aug.* 
SPHAYRIA. Fructirications mostly spherical, 
opening at the top, whilst young filled with 
jelly, when old, with a blackish powder. 
Oss. Grows on the bark or wood of other plants. Capsules 
.. often immersed, so that their orifices only are visible. 
Ozs, This genus has been much enlarged, in consequence of 
the attention lately bestowed on the minuter, Fungi, but I can- 
not. consent to arrange any of the Cravarra under it, for 
though the discoveries of Micheli and some later botanists, 
have shewn in some species of Clavaria an agreement in the 
structure of the capsules with those of the Sphzria, yet Schmidel 
has demonstrated a similar structure in still other species of 
Clavaria, and it most probably prevails in all, so that the two 
Genera must on this ground be melted into one, notwithstanding 
the very striking differences in other respects.. Indeed if this 
principle were allowed, it is probable that many of the Lichens 
must also be brought into the same Genus, nor is it easy to say 
where the confusion would end. Under this Genus several 
ants are placed which I am aware-do not very well accord 
with their situation, but as our knowledge is not yet sufficient 
to enable us to strike out an unexceptionable arrangemem o 
them, it is perhaps better to submit to the present inconvenience, 
than to increase the confusion by a premature attempt at refor- 
- mation. Mr. Bulliard has divided the Sphzria of Haller into 
two Genera, viz. Hypoxylon and Variolaria ; his genus Sphzro- - 
carpus also contains one or two species, which some would think 
might associate with the Spharias. But though I have not 
adopted Mr. Bulliard’s method, for reasons just now assigned, 
yet I am persuaded that something like it will soon be thought 
necessary. 
“(Vy With a Stem. 
Spu. Head roundish, brown, supported onastem. Dicks, 
22, ; , 
